Last week, in Morogoro, the DML Tanzania leader, Pastor Antony Kayombo, held a meeting for bishops and pastors in the heart of the city, in a market. We usually meet in a church building, but Pastor Anthony decided it would be good to meet in the place that is the focus of our attention. The market we visited is home to more than 2,000 vendors and features conference rooms on the side. We met on the second floor of this four-story building, in a conference room, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of this market.
On the floor where we met there were vendors selling primarily fruits, vegetables, grains, and spices. Thankfully, the butchers (and their many flies) were mainly outside in the open air! Customers came and went throughout the day, peeking into our room as they passed.
For many of the bishops, this was the first time in years that they had been in the market. Typically, someone else does the shopping for them. At the start of the day, Pastor Anthony sent everyone out to walk through the market, two by two, simply to observe. And when everyone came back, they shared their observations.
Many observed both challenges and opportunities. Some came with solutions to the challenges. Some came back with phone numbers of unbelievers who want to know more about Jesus. Some met believers struggling to sell their goods in such a competitive environment.
For us, as facilitators, it was an ideal environment for discussing the role of the church from Monday to Saturday.
Throughout the day, we could point out the door as we discussed the church's work in such a place.
All day, we could speak very practically of equipping the believers who are walking by to be the church to the unbelievers in that place.
Throughout the day, we could point to vendors and discuss the importance of their work in fulfilling the characteristic of a providential God, as these men and women provide the necessary food for those who do not grow their own.
At the end of the day, these church and denominational leaders had a vision for reclaiming the market for Christ by establishing a workplace discipleship ministry led by believers in their church who have a solid understanding of a theology of work.
If you haven't been in one of these markets before, here is a brief video that captures what it is like!
